Letter to the Environmental Protection Agency - Fast-Tracking Pesticide Approval in Fight Against Citrus Greening Disease

Letter

Dear Mr. Smith,

As Members of the Florida Delegation, we are writing to urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to expeditiously approve the use of Vismax in Florida citrus. Vismax is a patented biochemical pesticide containing a targeted peptide that helps trigger the tree's natural immune system. With limited tools available to combat citrus greening, Vismax would serve as a welcome solution affording citrus growers in our state an opportunity to treat their Huanglongbing infected trees.

Since 2005, Florida citrus growers have been in the fight of their life against a disease known as Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening. HLB is a vascular disease vectored by the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). Today, citrus greening is on almost every farm in Florida, and can drastically reduce the productivity of a tree within just two years. HLB has caused Florida's citrus industry to shrink by more than two-thirds and has caused over $8 billion in economic loss and tens of thousands of jobs lost.

An unnecessarily delayed approval time of Vismax could cause additional trees to be infected, worsening the spread of the disease, and adding to the over $400 million in annual losses Florida farmers experience due to HLB. Although massive research efforts have been underway over the last decade, Florida's citrus industry desperately needs solutions now.

Therefore, if you find that this product is safe and effective, we believe the approval must be done rapidly so the industry can have access to Vismax before the start of the 2022 growing season in October. Adding Vismax to their toolbox could help slow the spread of the disease through an effective treatment program.

Thank you for your time and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.